These 1st graders invented a portable sink that won a national award

Two first graders have won an invention contest at their South Side school with a design for a portable sink.

For their school’s Invention Convention last year, when they were seven years old, at the Lenart Regional Gifted Center, Kailey McGuire and her classmate, Jaiah Gosa, worked on the creation of “Kids Fun Portable Sink”.

McGuire said there was one time she was at the beach and wanted to eat some potato chips, but ran into a problem.

“I had just finished playing in the sand but there was nowhere to wash my hands nearby. Then I thought, what if I had a sink I could carry with me to wash my hands and eat the snacks,” she told abc7.

That was when the idea to create the “Kids Fun Portable Sink” was birthed.

“It was really hard. They’re 7-year-olds staying focused for that long a period of time. So we had to have play breaks, food breaks, a lot of patience. The kids did a really good job,” Kailey’s mom said.

Reportedly, the girls came up with three prototypes, detailing their extensive research in a binder. Finally, they designed a portable, collapsible sink that can be attached to a water bottle.

The duo eventually won 1st place at their school. They went on to win at the regional level and also at the national Convention Invention in Detroit.

“I had to prep her like, it’s ok if you don’t win,” her mom said. “And they called her name for 1st place and I was like, ah!”

“I’m really excited!” Kailey said when she won.

Kailey is now an eight-year-old in the 2nd grade and quite enthusiastic for another invention convention. She said she’s got plans for a special kind of robot.

Watch how to use the Kids Fun Portable Sink in this video: